Prior band-resisted squat jumps improved running time, rating of perceived exertion, and neuromuscular performance in middle-distance runners

Abstract

There is a need for more research that examines the time course of neuromuscular alterations that occur during middle-long distance running. A growing body of evidence suggests that post-activation potentiation (PAP) is a prominent neuromuscular alteration that aids in the enhancement and maintenance of force production. PAP conditioning contractions integrated into warm-up protocols have been shown to enhance subsequent performance, yet the role PAP plays in endurance performance remains under-studied. The aim of this study was to characterize the time course of the effects of a PAP conditioning stimulus (band-resisted jump squat protocol) on a subsequent 5 X 1 km running trial. This study examined neuromuscular properties (ITT, MVC, EMG, drop jump) and metabolic properties (RPE, HR). It was hypothesized that performing a 5RM band-resisted jump squat protocol as part of a standardized running-specific warm-up in a group of endurance runners would induce significant measurable PAP effects during the course of a subsequent 5 X 1 km time trial run and up to 10 minutes post-run protocol. The neuromuscular and performance changes resulted in decreased time to complete the running task (3.6%) in the intervention session, increased force generation (9.5%) throughout both trials, increased voluntary activation (10%) in the intervention session, and a lack of impaired evoked contractile properties. These results serve as evidence of measurable neuromuscular changes occurring during and after the subsequent running trial. It is plausible that the band-resisted jump squat protocol served to increase performance and physiological measures and is attributable to post-activation potentiation, heighted central-pacing strategies, and increased stretch-shortening cycle efficiency.